In a remarkable turn of events this week, the PGA Tour not only welcomed Brooks Koepka back but also left the door open for three LIV Golf stars to follow him.
Brooks Koepka was certainly not on the outside for too long. It is less than a month since his LIV Golf exit was confirmed. He will make his first PGA Tour start since 2022 at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Rate LIV Golf’s off-season out of 10…
Brooks Koepka has left, while they have signed the likes of Laurie Canter and Thomas Detry so far
But Brian Rolapp did not stop there.
How LIV Golf hierarchy reacted to the PGA Tour launching the Returning Member Program
The PGA Tour made sure Koepka could come back by unveiling the Returning Member Program. The initiative means that anyone who has won a major or The Players Championship since 2022 can return before February 2nd by agreeing to the same penalties as the 35-year-old.
It also means that all eyes are on Cameron Smith, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau – the three players who also qualify.
It is certainly an aggressive move from the PGA Tour. LIV Golf would clearly be in big trouble if Rahm and DeChambeau decided to jump ship again.
So it is no surprise that The Telegraph is reporting that Rolapp’s announcement ‘incensed’ the LIV hierarchy. Crucially, the door closes just a couple of days before their season begins in Riyadh.
How Smith, Rahm, and DeChambeau responded to questions about their futures
The good news for LIV is that there does not appear to be any appetite among Smith, Rahm, and DeChambeau to take the PGA Tour up on their offers.
Unsurprisingly, all three men were asked about the news at a LIV media event this week. Smith was the most emphatic about his future, while Rahm and DeChambeau confirmed that they will also be staying for 2026.
That is a boost for the league. However, LIV will know that they find themselves in a precarious situation right now.
Who can LIV Golf sign to save their offseason?
DeChambeau holds all the power with his contract expiring this winter. He can make eye-watering demands well aware of what it is likely to take to get back on the PGA Tour.
Similarly, Rahm would presumably have to pay even more to get out of his contract this month given that he signed much later than many of his rivals. Koepka reportedly paid $30 million to leave LIV with one year left on his deal.
So while the pair do look set to stay, there are no guarantees that LIV will remain their long-term home.
After all, both DeChambeau and Rahm were among the players who went back on their pledges to remain on the PGA Tour in the first place.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
